By Muhammad Mamman
Former senator Philip Aduda has resigned from the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), signalling a high-stakes political realignment ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 elections.
Aduda’s resignation comes amid plans to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in a move widely seen as part of a broader strategy to reclaim the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Senate seat.
The former lawmaker, who previously represented the FCT in the Senate, is expected to contest the seat in 2027 with the backing of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. Wike, a key power broker in the capital’s political landscape, has openly vowed to unseat the incumbent senator, Ireti Kingibe, in the next election cycle.
Analysts say the development underscores deepening political tensions in the FCT, with shifting alliances and rivalries already shaping early manoeuvres ahead of the polls. Aduda’s anticipated defection is likely to intensify competition, as both major parties position themselves for control of one of Nigeria’s most politically symbolic constituencies.
While neither Aduda nor the APC has formally announced the timeline for his defection, his resignation from the PDP marks a decisive step in what could become a fiercely contested race for the FCT Senate seat.
